Michel Aebischer’s determination, reflected with an assist and a great goal before half-time, decisively marked this Saturday’s match between Switzerland and Hungarywhich arrived late with a goal from Barnabás Varga.
In added time Breel Embolo tied up a Swiss triumph that could be keye for the final configuration of the group in this initial section of Euro 2024.
Germany’s rout of Scotland (5-1) in the opening match of the tournament highlighted the dimension of the Cologne duel between the Hungarians and Swiss, contenders, before the start, for second place.
Aware of the status of favorites, due to their character as hosts but also due to their potential, of the German team, the sights of the rest of the members of Group A go through the other positions that point towards the round of 16 qualifiers.
Hence the intensity and interest with which both Marco Rossi’s painting and Murat Yakin’s painting faced each other from the beginning. And he found success with the team that sought it most. At least for most of the minutes. Hungary wasted the first half, playing in fits and starts, supported by the inspiration of Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlaiwhich had an intermittent contribution.
In Murat Yakin’s debut in a major tournament as coach It was Switzerland that showed the most ambition and earned consideration as a contender for qualification. Yakin’s idea worked out as he expected. He won the theoretically key clash against Hungary; Then, on the second day, they will face Scotland, against whom they intend to reaffirm their advancement to the next phase. They will close the group round against Germany, in which they intend to discuss the leadership of the four.
Switzerland assumed responsibility and when Hungary woke up they already had the match very difficult, with two goals against. He changed the script with the changes, varied the idea of the clash and even questioned his rival’s victory when Barnabás Varga closed the gap.
The Swiss team moved at the pace set by Granit Xhakasupported from midfield upwards by Remo Freuler, Dan NDoye and Aebischer, Swiss backbone, teammates in Bologna, one of the revelations of Serie A.
Switzerland’s strong start paid off. There was no truce. Precise in the pressure, she opened the account after twelve minutes with a wonderful pass from Aebischer towards Kwadwio Duah, who beat Peter Gulacsi on his way out. He was able to score the second early, eight minutes later. In a mistake by Milos Kerkez in a pass to his goalkeeper that Ruben Vargas took advantage of but that was thwarted by the Leipzig goal.
Hungary’s first appearance in attack came in the 40th minute on a set piece and a header from Willi Orban, in the center, saved by goalkeeper Yann Sommer. The difference was in the success. Switzerland had it just before the intermission.
In another big defensive error, in a chain, by Marco Rossi’s team. Xhaka found Remo Freuler, who crossed to Aebisher who, from the edge of the area, executed a precise shot impossible for Gulacsi.
Noticeably uneven, with two goals, Switzerland approached the match with a certain relaxation after the intermission, although they were able to seal it in the first action of the second half with a ball that Kwadwio Diah threw out.
But everything changed after game time. With the changes and greater acceleration and daring, Hungary realized that the match could be theirs. Varga threatened first from a Roland Sallai cross that narrowly headed wide. And in ’66 he did not forgive. Sallai found Dominik Szoboszlai. The Liverpool midfielder was precise. He sent a good pass into the area. Barnabás Varga appeared, who anticipated Abebischer to score and close the result.
The match opened. Hungary pushed and Switzerland changed its strategy. Physically worn out, she played with the opponent’s time and urgency. With the match open he was also able to score, although the victory remained up in the air.
Gulacsi saved the penalty from a corner and Marton Dardai took the ball from a counterattack. But Hungary could do nothing to avoid the third and the sentence, which came from a long throw-in by Yann Sommer followed by a lack of definition from Willi Orban that Breel Embolo took advantage of to raise the ball over the goalkeeper’s exit and seal the Swiss victory.
